Are Smart Appliances the Smart Way to Save Energy?

By
Admin /
Published on Tuesday, 03 May 2016 05:23 AM /
Comments Off on Are Smart Appliances the Smart Way to Save Energy?
/ 345 views

Recently, you’re seeing a good number of tech innovations. The Internet shows that it has the ability to connect everything. Online devices aren’t called ‘smart’ for no reason; they really are smart. Through network connection, your garage door can close or open by itself. With one press on your mobile phone, your TV set can switch channels. They save you a lot of time and effort.

The power of the Internet goes from these gadgets, to everyday appliances you don’t pay much attention to. If you ask North Star Home, the thermostat and washing machine are just as smart as your other gizmos, albeit in a different way. But, is using them a smart way to save energy? You decide.

What Can They Do?

When you hear “smart gadget,” you think “social media, chat apps, and voice command.” The new breed of smart technology is a lot more subtle in the information-sharing department, but is nonetheless intelligent. Internet-connected and controlled appliances aren’t about letting you chat via the thermostat. They’re about letting a thermostat do what it does best.

It has to cool and heat your home effectively, without letting you pay mounting utility bills. Are smart thermostats able to do that? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, they can, if you program them to do so. You can schedule how often you use your air conditioning units and heaters with them, turning them off when you’re away, and back on when you’re home.

Smart washing machines made waves in the tech industry last year. As names like Samsung and LG launch their version of the Internet-connected clothes washer, each claims that their product can handle bigger loads. They’re able to do full washes in a matter of minutes as well. Some brands claim to use 25% less energy and 40% less water than regular washers.

What both the smart washing machine and thermostat can do is let the owner monitor them. As such, users have control over how much energy they use up because of their appliances’ network access.

Do They Save You Energy?

Manufacturers design smart appliances to save you energy and money. But, you have to keep a close eye on them, so they can do that. Are they a smart way to save energy? It’s really up to you.